Catching Up With…First Fornight’s J.P. Swaine

Tonight, First Fortnight and Bluestack Records launch There Is A Light, a compilation album featuring some of Ireland’s most exciting new acts, at Whelans, in aid of the Green Ribbon campaign, which is raising awareness of mental health issues. First Fortnight co- founder J.P. Swaine talks about growing up in Tallaght, his favorite and much- missed record shop and how looking forward to the next event is one way of winding down.

First Fortnight co- founder J.P. Swaine.

What’s been the highlight of your year so far?

Has to have been January and the 39 events First Fortnight produced. It has hectic, epic, amazing, exhausting. One moment that particularly stands out for em happened in the Project wathcing the audience reaction to Sorcha Kenny’s play DOLLS. An exquisite mix of wonder and discomfort.

When did you first realise you wanted to be involved in the arts / event management?

I didn’t /haven’t realised that; I keep waiting for it to stop!!! I’m driven by acts that lead to social change; I find myself in the arts because of that.

In three words, describe There Is A Light.

Music for minds.

How do you wind down after a gig?

Start organising something else! I don’t know…I tend to operate in alternate cycles to the events themselves, usually by the time it starts my attention is on the next thing. My week has been totallly occupied by stuff thats happening in September, the event this week has to be sorted long before so I suppose im already wound down. I run and play sports is another way of answering also.

In three words, describe the live scene in Ireland.

Low cost excellence.

Whose career do you envy and why?

Bob Geldof: he has managed to stay relevant in so many fields for such a long time.

Vinyl or digital downloads?

Digital all the way.

What is your favourite record shop anywhere in the world?

The sadly departed Final Vinyl on Camden Street, Dublin 2.

Name one rare record you don’t own, but you want more than anything.

To have organised the worlds largest table quiz (I assume this what you meant?!).

Name one piece of music memorabilia that you wish you owned.

Gabriels Obo (the actual obo).

What is the one thing in your life that you couldn’t go without?

Coffee.

Name one record, one book and one film that everyone should hear / read / see.